Air Macau to restrict checked baggage allowance starting Sept. 17

Air Macau will shift from a weight-based to a piece-based checked baggage policy beginning next Wednesday, September 17, a move that has drawn criticism from travelers online.

The airline said the new standards are meant to “better accommodate the needs of both local residents of Macau and travelers visiting or departing from Macau, while enhancing the overall passenger experience.”

Under the new rules, Economy Class passengers will be allowed one piece of checked baggage not exceeding 32 kilograms (kg), up from the previous 25kg limit.

Business Class will change from 40kg to two pieces of up to 32kg each, with a combined maximum of 64kg. Premium Economy will shift from a 30kg allowance to two pieces not exceeding 32kg each, capped at 50kg in total.

However, many social media users were quick to slam the change.

One Facebook user wrote, “After this new baggage rule, it’s perfect – time to say goodbye to Air Macau.” Another said that although the new limits align with Cathay Pacific, “the planes are old [and the] service is mediocre.”

Others pointed out cheaper options: “Flying out of Hong Kong is way cheaper, with more destinations to choose from,” a netizen noted.

The backlash follows confusion over an earlier notice published on the airline’s website last Sunday, which suggested stricter reductions.

That version stated that Premium Economy passengers would be limited to two pieces of 23kg each and that the maximum combined dimensions per bag would shrink by more than 20%, from 203 centimeters to 158cm. The notice has since been removed.

The change comes as Air Macau continues to struggle financially, with the local carrier recording a net loss attributable to shareholders of RMB386 million in the first half of the year, according to Air China’s recently published 2025 Interim Report on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Based on Air China’s equity stake, Air Macau incurred a loss of RMB515 million during this period, equivalent to approximately MOP579 million. This marks the airline’s fifth consecutive year of losses.

Air Macau also published a statement in early July announcing a capital reduction from MOP842 million to MOP200 million, followed by an immediate capital increase to over MOP2.379 billion. The entire capital increase was fully subscribed and paid up.